Selective Europe: How Brussels really sees BiH, if they are honest, why don't they tell Croatia enough is enough!

By: Amina Čorbo-Zećo

As the European Union marks Europe Day in Bosnia and Herzegovina and three decades of its presence with messages about a common future, it is difficult to ignore the dose of irony that accompanies such narratives.

The message "Our Future, Our Europe" sounds encouraging, but for many BiH citizens, it remains more of a political slogan than a real perspective. Because, despite the declarative support for the country's European path, the concrete steps and Brussels' approach often give the impression of a selective approach, based primarily on the Union's own interests. We will recall how Brussels did not have a unified stance when it came to sanctions against Milorad Dodik, after his attempts at a coup d'état.

The bitter taste of the entire story surrounding the migrant crisis also remains, and the fact that FRONTEX was established in BiH not because of BiH, but for other European countries. The Constitution was violated in that story, but that did not prevent Brussels from satisfying its own needs.   

Of course, domestic political elites also bear a significant part of the responsibility. For years, they have shown an inability or unwillingness to implement key reforms, from the rule of law to the functionality of institutions. However, this does not absolve the European Union of its own inconsistencies.

The example of Croatia, which became an EU member in 2013, is often cited as an illustration of double standards. Although some open issues, including border disputes with BiH, remained unresolved, this did not present an insurmountable obstacle to membership. At the same time, BiH faces constant shifting of criteria and additional political conditionality. It is also unacceptable that Brussels constantly remains silent when it comes to Croatia's interference in the internal affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina. As a union, they should draw Croatia's attention, but they don't care.

And, the example of Ukraine has shown us that everything can go faster and differently.

Does such an approach raise the question of whether the rules apply equally to everyone, or are they adapted to the geopolitical and internal interests of the Union?

From the perspective of BiH citizens, the European path increasingly looks like a process without a clear end, a path where goals are shifted, and recognition for steps taken comes slowly or not at all.

In such an environment, the rhetoric of a "common future" can seem distant from the reality of everyday life. Therefore, we often hear that the European Union will collapse before BiH becomes its member!

Furthermore, the focus on youth, which is highlighted in this year's program, carries a special weight. It is precisely young people who most often leave BiH in search of a more stable and promising environment, often in European Union countries. This opens up a paradox. The Union simultaneously promotes the European future of BiH, but also indirectly profits from the departure of its most vital population segment.

All of this does not mean that BiH's European path is meaningless, on the contrary. But it does mean that more honesty is needed from both sides. From the domestic authorities, a real commitment to reforms, and from the European Union, a more consistent, fair, and transparent approach.

Otherwise, commemorations like Europe Day will remain nicely packaged events, while the real European perspective of Bosnia and Herzegovina will continue to be put on hold.